e recognized it at once as a
radite container, a can of the terrible ultra-explosive which he
himself had perfected. He shuddered at the thought of the havoc which
its detonation would cause.

"Yes, Doctor, that is a can of radite," said the Russian. "Allow me
also to call your attention to the interrupter fuse which is attached
to it. When Mr. Carnes cuts the wire outside, you know well enough
what will happen. Now, let me invite your attention to the clock on
the wall before you. Mr. Carnes arrived at the Bush River station of
the P. B. and W. at 2:15 A.M. He had a little trouble getting a boat,
but he is now on his way here. It is 2:25. I think he will arrive
between 3:30 and 4:00. Perhaps five minutes later, he will find the
wire.

"You have a little over an hour in which to contemplate your total
extinction, an extinction which will remove from my path the one great
obstacle to my domination of the world. I hope you will enjoy your
remaining moments. In order to help you to enjoy them, and to realize
the futility of human endeavor, I have placed the key of your shackles
on the floor here in plain sight, but, alas, out of your reach. I
would like to stay and watch your struggle, to see the self-control on
which you pride yourself vanish, and to watch you whimper and pray for
the mercy you would not find; but I am deprived of that pleasure. I
must take personal charge of my men to be sure that there is no slip.
Good-by, Doctor, we will never meet again, I fear."

* * * * *

"We will meet again, Saranoff," said Dr. Bird in even tones of cold
ferocity which made even Saranoff shiver. "We will meet again, and
when you whimper and beg for mercy, remember this moment!"

The Russian started forward with an oath, his hand raised to strike.
He recovered himself and essayed a sickly smile.

"I will remember, Doctor," he said in a voice which, despite himself,
had a tremor of fear in it. "I will remember--_when_ we meet again."

He ran lightly up the stairs and Dr. Bird heard the floor close above
him. With a grunt, he bent down and examined his shackles closely.
They were tight fitting and made of hardened steel. A cursory
examination showed the doctor that he could neither force them nor
slip them. He turned his attention to the key which Saranoff had
pointed out. It lay on the floor, about ten feet, as nearly as he
could judge, from where he stood.

He knelt and then stretched himsel